Sun Safety

A higher SPF doesn’t mean less frequent applications.

The sun can expose us to ultraviolet radiation as well as potentially dangerous levels of heat.
It is important to protect children from both.
To learn more about extreme heat, please see our climate and extreme heat pages.

What is ultraviolet radiation, or UV rays?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of energy produced by the sun. You can’t see UV radiation because its wavelengths are shorter than visible light. You can be exposed to UV radiation on sunny days, but you can also be exposed when it isn’t sunny or warm. For example UV rays can still reach the earth on cloudy days. Snow can also be a source of exposure and can reflect up to 80% of UV rays.1 Other sources of UV radiation include tanning beds and some types of lights and lasers.

The two kinds of UV rays that reach Earth are UVA and UVB. Read more about these types of radiation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Facts about Ultraviolet Radiation webpage. Exposure to UVA and UVB can cause skin cancer, so it is important to protect against all kinds of UV radiation. 

Your body can use UV radiation to make vitamin D, which has many important functions in the body. Children need to get enough Vitamin D to build strong bones. Vitamin D is also good for mental health and the immune system.2,3 If you want to learn more about getting your child enough Vitamin D, see  HealthyChildren.org.

Too much exposure to UV radiation is damaging to skin and can result in a painful sunburn. It can also lead to more serious health problems, including:4,5 

  • premature aging of the skin 
  • cataracts and other eye damage (including skin cancer around the eyelid) 
  • weakened immune system 

UV radiation exposure is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Skin cancer is very common- basal cell and squamous cell are the most common types and are typically treatable.6 Around 1 out of every 5 Americans will get skin cancer at some point in their lives; about 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each day.5 Getting a sunburn can be dangerous, especially as a child or young adult. This can increase your odds of getting melanoma, a type of skin cancer, later in life.5 Tanning beds, another place where you can be exposed to UV radiation, are also associated with skin cancer.5

Children are particularly vulnerable to UV exposure. Young skin is delicate, thinner, and produces less melanin (a skin-protecting pigment).7 Children have long lives ahead during which they can experience the effects of frequent UV exposure. Additionally, it is important to protect children’s eyes from UV exposure. UV radiation damage builds up over time, so the sooner you start protecting your children’s skin and eyes from the sun, the lower their risk will be of ever developing future problems. 

Children of all skin tones need to be protected from overexposure to the sun. While skin cancer is more common in those with lighter skin, it can happen in individuals with all skin tones.5 Even the darkest skin tones can only provide a protection equivalent to wearing a sunscreen of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 13, which is not enough for effective sun protection.8 Check out our Resources section if you want to learn more about sun safety for people of color, starting with the “Are People of Color at Risk for Skin Cancer?” by the Skin Cancer Foundation. 

Talk to your pediatrician about your child’s skin. Most children do not need regular skin exams by a dermatologist to monitor for skin cancer unless they have certain risk factors. Some of these risk factors can include a family history of skin cancer, having many moles, or a history of multiple sunburns. Fortunately, skin cancer in children is extremely uncommon. Here is more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on risk factors for skin cancer and talking to the pediatrician about your child’s skin: AAP Skin Cancer. 

Although most moles are harmless, some can be cancer. Moles can become cancerous when exposed to UV radiation.9 It is a good idea to keep an eye on your child’s moles and teach them how to watch them. Keeping an eye on your child’s moles teaches them a good lifelong habit. This resource is a great tool to help you keep track of your moles: Mole Map. If you notice a mole that looks concerning or is changing, it is a good idea to discuss this with your child’s pediatrician. Typically, good rule of thumb is to use the ABCDEs of skin cancer:

  • A= Asymmetry 
  • B= Border irregularity 
  • C= non uniform Color, 
  • D= Diameter greater than 6 mm
  • E= Evolving over time

However, around 40%-60% of melanomas in adolescents and children do not follow these traditional characteristics.10 It is good to discuss any concerning moles or changing moles with your child’s pediatrician.

Using the UV index is a way to plan for how much sun protection you’ll need at certain places and times. You can check the UV index on your phone in your weather app. If it is 3 or higher, you and your children need full sun protection. Here is more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics on Protecting Kids from Sunburn. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) displays the UV index here, and via a mobile app you can download on your phone. 

Even if you don’t know the UV index, it is best to protect your children from the sun when they go outside. UV radiation is highest in spring and summer, and highest from 10:00am – 4:00pm. A good rule of thumb is: if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s rays are strong. But the amount of UV rays you’re exposed to depends on more than the strength of the sun’s rays. It also matters how long your skin is exposed to the sun and whether you’re wearing protective clothes and sunscreen.

  • Don’t deliberately sunburn
  • Find shade and avoid the sun during its strongest hours
  • Cover up with sun-safe clothing that is lightweight and has a tighter weave. The Skin Cancer Foundation provides additional helpful guidelines for choosing sun-safe clothing.
  • Wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection
  • Wear & reapply sunscreen (visit this HealthyChildren.org resource to learn about special considerations around sun protection for babies).
  • Teach your child about sun safety – see more in the section below. 
  • Talk to your teen about the risks of indoor tanning at a salon or gym. Teach your teen to “love the skin you’re in.”

Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Based on the AAP, mineral sunscreen is preferred.11 These will have “zinc oxide” or “titanium dioxide” as their ingredients. This differs from chemical sunscreens that contain ingredients, such as “avobenzone,” “oxybenzone,” or “octinoxate.”12 Mineral sunscreens are also better for coral reefs than chemical sunscreens! Try different kinds to find one you like; some mineral sunscreens come with a tint to blend better into a range of skin tones. Visit the AAP website for more information.

Here are some basic pointers on choosing a safe and effective sunscreen:

  • Choose “Broad-Spectrum”: this will provide protection from UVA and UVB rays 
  • SPF should be at least 15-30. Even if you choose to use a higher SPF, you still need to reapply just as frequently (every 2 hours). 
  • Apply 15-30 minutes before sun exposure 
  • Apply enough to cover all exposed areas
  • Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming 
  • Remember, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen – use a sunscreen even if a mineral product is not available

Did you know that your health insurance can help you buy sunscreen? If you have a healthcare flexible spending account (FSA), you can use the pretax dollars in your account to pay for sunscreen that meets certain requirements. Typically, FDA-approved sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher meet these requirements.

You might not notice a sunburn while it is happening, which is why it is important to regularly reapply sunscreen and limit time in the sun.13 Removing your child from the sun is the first step if you notice a sunburn. Keep your child cool, hydrated, and covered while the sunburn heals. You may need to call your pediatrician or visit an emergency room if the burn is severe, or if your child is showing signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke (such as dizziness, nausea, headache, and more). Check out our resource section below for first aid steps for sunburns.

Parents and teachers can empower children to be a part of their own sun protection team. Use the resources below with your children and/or encourage their schools to adopt them.   

EPA: Sun Safety Fact Sheets and Handouts

The EPA has created children’s resources for all ages such as coloring and picture books. Explore the link above for all of their content. The EPA also coined this catchy phrase to remember what to do in the sun: “Teach kids to Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap”: 

  • Slip on a shirt. Less skin exposed means less skin damage. 
  • Slop on sunscreen. 
  • Slap on a hat. Find a hat you like and wear it. 
  • Wrap on sunglasses. 

Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH): Ray and the SunBeatables & Be Sunbeatable program 

A free evidence-based curriculum that educates children, parents, and teachers about sun protection and sun safety behavior.

Mount Sinai Institute for Exposomic Research: Isabella’s Summer Bucket List: Sun Safety

Kid-friendly handout on sun safety.

  Prescriptions for Prevention 

Featured Rxs – English:
Sun Safety, Nature and Play, Teen Tanning

Featured Rxs – Español:
Protección Solar, Naturaleza y Juegos, Bronceado en Adolescentes

 

National and Statewide Resources

National: 

New York State: 

  1. World Health Organization. Radiation: Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation. Accessed November 5, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-ultraviolet-(uv)
  2. Aranow C. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med. Aug 2011;59(6):881-6. doi:10.2310/JIM.0b013e31821b8755
  3. Głąbska D, Kołota A, Lachowicz K, Skolmowska D, Stachoń M, Guzek D. The Influence of Vitamin D Intake and Status on Mental Health in Children: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. Mar 16 2021;13(3)doi:10.3390/nu13030952
  4. Skin Cancer Foundation. UV Radiation & Your Skin. Accessed November 6, 2024 https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation/#:~:text=Unprotected%20exposure%20to%20UVA%20and,including%20cataracts%20and%20eyelid%20cancers.
  5. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Skin Cancer. Accessed November 6, 2024. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer
  6. Gruber P, Zito PM. Skin Cancer. StatPearls. 2025.
  7. Sun Safety for Children and Babies. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Accessed November 2024, 2024. https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/education/sun-safety-for-children-and-babies
  8. Tsai J, Chien AL. Photoprotection for Skin of Color. Am J Clin Dermatol. Mar 2022;23(2):195-205. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00670-z
  9. American Cancer Society. What Causes Melanoma Skin Cancer? Accessed November 11, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/melanoma-skin-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.html
  10. Saiyed FK, Hamilton EC, Austin MT. Pediatric melanoma: incidence, treatment, and prognosis. Pediatric Health Med Ther. 2017;8:39-45. doi:10.2147/phmt.S115534
  11. American Academy of Pediatrics. Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn & Sunscreen. healthychildren.org. Accessed November 6, 2024. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-Safety.aspx?_gl=1*1x23fz1*_ga*MTAzMTg5MjIxMC4xNzA2MDUwNzMx*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTcyMDYyMzYwMi4yNy4wLjE3MjA2MjM2MDIuMC4wLjA.
  12. Cleveland Clinic. The Difference Between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens. Accessed November 6, 2024. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mineral-vs-chemical-sunscreen
  13. American Academy of Pediatrics. Sunburn: Treatment & Prevention. healthychildren.org. Accessed November 6, 2024. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/Sunburn-Treatment-and-Prevention.aspx




Updated: Emma Chang MPH RN; February 2025.